The Gorge Heroes Club started out this year bidding farewell to five Marine assault teams and a separate 50-member Marine support unit that shipped out to Afghanistan. Their respective deployments were followed by the departure of an Army line officer and an Army surgeon to Iraq. Over the course of the summer, these individuals provided us with names of "military orphans" that were not receiving mail from home and the mothers amongst us reached out to adopt these Heroes. In addition to taking care of these troops, GHC was sending care packages or cards to dozens of other military personnel around the globe. But our biggest challenge came in September when 165 soldiers from the Hood River and The Dalles armories deployed to Iraq. Our members rallied to hold a series of fundraisers that would allow us to provide each and every one of these Heroes with a care package every month, and we will soon be adopting 142 more soldiers that are in need of support. In addition, an Army soldier from our area has just headed into Afghanistan and we are going to be providing comfort items for his squad, thanks to the generosity of area businesses, especially Safeway, and community members.
To all of our Heroes in combat zones that are not be able to spend time with family members during the holidays, we pray that God wraps his protective hand around you and provides you with a spirit of peace. To our warriors that have recently returned from combat zones, we hope that you find rest from any burdens on your spirit during the Christmas season and learn to laugh again while re-connecting with family.
Honored,
Your GHC
Your GHC
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